Potassium Iodate

Potassium iodate is an ionic chemical compound that consists of K+ ions and IO3- ions in a 1:1 ratio. It is an oxidizing agent, and as a result, it can cause fires if in contact with combustible materials or reducing agents. Few uses of potassium iodate: it is a chemical compound which is used for the iodization of common edible salts. It provides a convenient way of performing iodometric work. In many countries, potassium iodate is used as a source for dietary iodine. It is also one ingredient in some baby formula milk. Just like, potassium bromate, potassium iodate is occasionally used as a maturing agent in baking. 

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What Is KIO3 In Chemistry?

The chemical formula for potassium iodate is KIO3. It can be prepared by reacting potassium base with iodic acid or by reacting potassium hydroxide to iodine. The second reaction produces both iodide and iodate. It is used as an analytical reagent. Potassium chlorate and potassium bromate are some other ions. Sodium iodate is another cation. Soluble in water at 4.74 g/100 ml(0°c); 9.16 g/100 ml(25°c); 32.3 g/100 ml(100°c). KIO3 is soluble in kl solution. KIO3 is insoluble in alcohol, liquid ammonia, and nitric acid. The atomic mass of potassium in KIO3 is 39.0983; iodine is 126.90447, and oxygen is 15.9993. Melting point at 560°c(1,040°F; 833 K)(decomposes). Whenever it's heated to decomposition, it always emits very toxic fumes. KIO3 has got good stability and is approved as an iodine supplement. Iodine is essential for good health and is needed for effective thyroid gland operation, which affects the body's metabolic and immunity functions. The exposure to radiation specifies as a 'thyroid blocking agent' to prevent uptake of radioactive iodine. Some potassium iodate is used as a food additive. For example, iodine can be added to salt in the form of potassium iodide or potassium iodate. KIO3 has higher stability in the presence of salt impurities, humidity, and porous packaging. 

The Molar Mass Of Potassium Iodide

The molar mass of potassium iodide is 214.001 g/mol. KIO3 chemical name is potassium iodate iodic acid potassium salt.

Physical Properties Of  Potassium Iodate

The physical properties of potassium iodate are:

1. It does not have any odor. Simply, odorless.

2. It sometimes appears as colorless crystals or white crystalline powder.

3. It has two covalently-bonded units.

4. It is capable of holding heat till 313 J Kg-1 K-1.

5. Melts at 560°C, along with partial decomposition, by releasing oxygen.

6. Its density is 3.90 g/cm3.

7. It is stable at ordinary temperatures. Materials to avoid included organics, combustibles, phosphorus, sulfur, carbon, powdered metals, cyanides, hydrides, reliable reducing agents, aluminum, and peroxides. Explosive when mixed with combustible material.

8. It accepts three hydrogen bonds(we can call it a hydrogen bond acceptor)

9. It is soluble in Kl solution.

10. It is moderately soluble in cold water; 4.74 g/100ml at 0°C.

11. It has a higher solubility in boiling water 32.3 g/100ml at 100°C.

12. It is insoluble in alcohol and nitric acid.

13. It has five heavy atoms.

14. Complexity is 49.8.

15. The compound is canonicalized. 

Now, we will be learning about chemical properties of potassium iodate.

Chemical Properties Of Potassium Iodate

Just like we learned about the Physical properties of  potassium iodate previously, chemical properties of potassium iodate are explained below:

When in the presence of strong acid like sulphuric acid, potassium iodate combines with potassium iodide, it produces potassium sulfate, iodine, and water.

KIO3 + 5Kl + 3H2SO4 → 3K2SO4 + 3H2O + 3l2

As we know, when potassium iodide is titrated with chlorine water in a neutral solution, the reaction which takes place is expressed by the equation: 

Kl + 3Cl2 + 3H2O → KCl + HIO2 + 5HCl

While on the other hand, it may not be so well known that if a large excess of free hydrochloric acid is present during the titration, chloroform or carbon tetrachloride being used as before for an indicator, the reaction will be 

Kl + Cl2 →  KCl + ICl

In both cases, the end of the reaction is shown by the immiscible solvent becoming colorless.

If instead of chlorine water, we titrate with a solution of potassium iodate, the stage at which the reaction stops is likewise dependent upon the concentration of the acid.

Potassium iodate, when reacted with silver nitrate, produces silver iodate and potassium nitrate. The chemical reaction is as given below:

   KlO3 + AgNO3 → AgIO3 + KNO3

Solved Examples

Question 1: How to make a potassium iodide solution?

Answer: Mix 5g of potassium iodide in 10ml of water. Mix the two solutions and add water to make 100ml—Mix 2g in 10ml in water. To 10ml of the resolution, add 90ml of water and 20g of sodium bisulfite.

Question 2: What happens when potassium iodide gets added to lead nitrate?

Answer: when we add potassium iodide to lead nitrate, those particles combine and produce two new compounds, a yellow solid named lead iodide and a white solid named potassium nitrate. Yellow cloud formation indicates that the chemical changes have taken place.

Fun Facts

Potassium iodide is used in treating victims of nuclear accidents, as it blocks the thyroid gland’s uptake of radioactive iodine. It is also possible for radioactive iodine to get into the food and water and contaminate people in that way. Table salts also contain iodine, but not too much to provide any protection to your thyroid in a nuclear emergency.